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You could try finding work with a small company...Maybe some one man IT shop where the guy needs help... You could build up trust etc and prove yourself...
Thanks for the reply Steve. I've been looking at smaller companies like mom and pops shops for computer repair/techs etc.(i don't think they do background checks like big companies do ).. My girlfriend keeps telling me I should go in business for myself (opening my own computer repair shop) but it seems so far fetched and I don't know the first thing about starting a business. Is anyone else in a situation like this? If so, what do you to get by? At this point I almost feel like giving up at times meaning, throwing in the towel, if I go back to being locked up then so be it.Quote:
Steve R JonesYou could try finding work with a small company...Maybe some one man IT shop where the guy needs help... You could build up trust etc and prove yourself...
I have returned from the abyss just to answer this question. Computernerd22, here are some pointers:
- DO NOT lie on your resume. Do not lie on online applications. Sure, it may land you the job, but it may also give your future employer a big fat case of suing your ass off if you do something wrong (PCI DSS, HIPAA stuff,...)
- DO follow Steve R Jones' advice: in most states, all it takes to start your own business is registering with the appropriate state agency (it'll probably cost you $50 or so). Set up a website to promote your services, start promoting it online, and you might be surprised how many reactions you get.
Negatif.
Thank you for the great information Negatif. I already have a site made for my business but i'm not sure how to promote it online. besides posting it on Facebook and various forums. Any suggestions?
I agree with Negatif. Do NOT lie on your application. If I were in charge of hiring, I might be a bit wary of hiring a felon... but I can tell you that if the person claimed no felonies on their application, and then the background check came back with one, there is no way I would give them a job. At that point, they are not only a [former] criminal, but also a liar. Be honest on your application, and then explain yourself during the interview, or in an enclosed letter. I have a friend that has an assault charge, but usually when he tells the prospective employer that he caught his girlfriend in bed with another guy, and didn't do much more than punch the guy and throw him out of the house, they usually understand.
The best form of advertising is word of mouth. Make business cards and flyers and pass them out. Use those to advertise your website as well. But I agree as well, those small mom and pop shops are your best bet, side from starting your own company. To be honest, I would first try landing a job there first. Get some clientele, make a name for yourself....Makes starting a business that much easier. Craigslist is probably going to be your friend in this scenario.
If you take care of the customer, the business will take care of itself. I have operated as a sole trader for a while and never had to advertise beyond my existing clients - the work comes in.
As for starting to find new customers; business cards work well and even stick some on the community notice boards or do some flyers. Ask some popular places if you can leave a stack of business cards on their counter (competing companies wont let you do this of course, but different industries, like a pet shop or local coffee shop).
Thank you for the advice. I always go above and beyond while doing my job.Quote:
If you take care of the customer, the business will take care of itself. I have operated as a sole trader for a while and never had to advertise beyond my existing clients - the work comes in.
Is there a website you guys use or recommend to make business cards and flyers with? And what software should I use to make the flyers? I greatly appreciate all the help from everyone.Quote:
Make business cards and flyers and pass them out.
I'm pretty sure Australia has that claim well in hand - that is exactly what our country started out as. And your post was a great deal more than unhelpful and lacking any compassion.Quote:
Originally Posted by AaronMaxwell
I've used Vista Print (Here) in the past, but im sure a quick google search will help you find business card services closer to you. The tools used to create the business material on Vista Print are quite useful in their own right.Quote:
Originally Posted by Computernerd22
I have a S corporation. If I ever want to go back to doing my own thing. It's something good to have, in the end I spent less than $1,000 for the tax, legal, financial advice to start up and filing fees - dot com name etc.
I will tell you this:
ALL LAYWERS ARE THEIFS - DO NOT GIVE THEM A RETAINER!
Make sure you trust your financial advisor - Family members should not fill this roll.
To run a successful tech-repair type business you do not need:
a web site
business cards
fancy hardware (iPad, etc)
You need to be HONEST, Available, and do good work.
People skills are a must and try to get BONDED. Most insurance companies will not bond you, however, If you get a partner they can approach the insurance company and bond the s-corp.
Aaron Maxwell - You obviously, cannot help, so their's no need to be a "dick head" with your responses.Quote:
Originally Posted by AaronMaxwell
DINOWUFF
[QUOTE]ALL LAYWERS ARE THEIFS - DO NOT GIVE THEM A RETAINER!
Make sure you trust your financial advisor - Family members should not fill this roll. [quote/]
Yes they are!
Quote:
To run a successful tech-repair type business you do not need:
Thank you for the information. I do freelance work right now. Word of mouth is the way I've been going about my work. I'm honest, and I do great work, and my availability is wide open. I don't know to much about the insurance aspect of it but I'm going to look into being "bonded"...Quote:
a web site
business cards
fancy hardware (iPad, etc)
You need to be HONEST, Available, and do good work.
People skills are a must and try to get BONDED. Most insurance companies will not bond you, however, If you get a partner they can approach the insurance company and bond the s-corp.
On average how many computers do you guys fix/troubleshoot in a week? Either in a business environment or when your doing house calls? Also, what do you guys charge? Do you charge by the job or by the hour? Also, there is a shop here that charges 25 bucks to fix any PC not sure how to compete with that...
All help is greatly appreciated and thank you everyone that replied except you aaron maxwell =
I run a small WAN - a few hundred here and 80 plus in an out of state location.
I really am the Bastard SysAdmin so security is #1 Feck the users needs. I tell them what they need.
I use Microsoft Essentials to roll out patches and software, power shell to install software. I have a strict standard desktop policy (Users can't even change desktop background). I never have hardware over 4 years old, so since implementing that a while back - I don't think I have cracked a computer case in 6 - 7 years.
You can't do that as a small consultant.
So - I assume you only support windows - Get yourself Team Viewer!
Learn how to set up and implement OpenDNS
Get a few clients and start being their CIO. Tell them when hardware is about to fail (Team VIewer). Help them understand the value of keeping current. Do this for small businesses that don't have an IT department.
Charge $40 per hour. Minimum 4 hours a week. Just for the virtual CIO reports (Don't call them that).
After the first 4 hours:
Charge $55 per hour for remote support. (That will keep the idiot clerk from calling you 20 times a day asking how to change a font/jpg - open/close/save everything.
Charge $75 per hour for on site support. (Remember If you go on site to replace a failing HDD that You discovered via your reporting. Just charge them hardware cost - Include travel time in the hardware cost. I figure $0.85 per mile)
Wow that is exactly the information I needed...I do small time repair for a few local businesses; a real estate agency, autoshop, and a medical repair center. Being good at what I do is mainly what got me in the door. I charge like 20 bucks flat rate for almost everything I do, but that is do to the fact that I was seeing his as more of a hobby than a business. Heck, even charging them 20 bucks for jobs they tell me I need to charge more. In fact, they even pay me way more than the 20 bucks I asked for. I may consider doing this full time.
Team viewer is an awesome application, but since most of my clients are with in 5 miles of my house I'd rather show face. Dino I would love to know what you keep in your tool box for networking. Most of my calls are for networking issues. They don't run servers or anything like that just a few office pc's that one of which loves to play facebook games on.
Change your signature? Stating you "own" someone isn't going to do any good. To be honest, crime does pay. Liars do get ahead. Change your name, ssi etc. I have a friend who works for sbcglobal (a chick no less, lesbian but a chick is a chick) she is the wan SYS Admin for the midwest northern area. Thats what she did...
Pick a local isp and stalk the company (in a good way) Know every inch of the website and know the holes, typos, etc. Call them when something is wrong or goes down. They will get sick of it and hire you, that's how I got my job after my dui's...
Good luck, it is a rough world for sys admins over 30. I forget the movie but the quote goes "what do they do with 40 year old sys admins? They shoot them."
Aaron... yes? they allow their routers to automatically use the full email address so phishing the password isnt that hard. Then we all know what happens if you have the user id and password...
cc:
This should be everything you need. Please read everything under "Get up to Speed Fast"
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/sysinternals
How about mentioning it while you are interviewing? Before they have a chance to find out on their own. Bring it to their attention prior to the background check. Perhaps you could say, I was in a bit of trouble and was desperate and was convicted... blah blah blah. Say you've changed and you've moved on.
Furthermore, I too have started my own business. The best thing about starting your own business especially computer business is running it from your living room or basement. The worst thing you could do is rent a small office and put yourself in more financial problems.
Best of luck.
On every application (whether working at burger king, or Microsoft) they ask you, have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony? Some applications only ask for the past 5 to 7 years which is great and works in my favor. It's kind of hard to to bring to the interviewers attention, you have charges of burglary with assault, two hit and runs, (misdemeanors) 2 battery charges, marijuana charges, driving on a suspend license, and resisting police officers and numerous violations of state of probation i just need to open my own computer business. no company 9-5 will hire me. anybody know of any jobs that hire felons? if so, let me knowQuote:
thatgeekyboyHow about mentioning it while you are interviewing? Before they have a chance to find out on their own. Bring it to their attention prior to the background check. Perhaps you could say, I was in a bit of trouble and was desperate and was convicted... blah blah blah. Say you've changed and you've moved on.
Furthermore, I too have started my own business. The best thing about starting your own business especially computer business is running it from your living room or basement. The worst thing you could do is rent a small office and put yourself in more financial problems.
WOW.... Is that really your list? In your opening post you made it sound "singular" as in one conviction.
No offense, but as you know - there are tons of people looking for work that have never been arrested... When push comes to shove and all else being equal - the non felon is going to pretty much always get selected.
Most of the previous post will still apply.... Start your own business or team up with another one man show that needs the help.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagou...-at-home-jobs/
Yea Steve is correct. Working from home may by your best bet. Or starting your own business. If what you posted is true, even the Army wont take you. (The U.S. Army will enlist almost anyone with felonie convections during war time. But not you... Man that's one hell of a list!
Quote:
WOW.... Is that really your list? In your opening post you made it sound "singular" as in one conviction.
No offense, but as you know - there are tons of people looking for work that have never been arrested... When push comes to shove and all else being equal - the non felon is going to pretty much always get selected.
Most of the previous post will still apply.... Start your own business or team up with another one man show that needs the help.
I'm not proud Steve R Jones but yes that is my list. I'm very embarrassed by it. I feel like the black sheep of the family. To Steve R Jones I have only "1" felony conviction the rest are simple misdeameanors. Back to issue at hand ---> All I know is When it comes to computers, networking, internet security, database security etc... not to sound cocky but I know my ****...
Quote:
No offense, but as you know - there are tons of people looking for work that have never been arrested... When push comes to shove and all else being equal - the non felon is going to pretty much always get selected.
No offense taken Steve I completely agree with you.
Quote:
If what you posted is true, even the Army wont take you. (The U.S. Army will enlist almost anyone with felonie convections during war time. But not you... Man that's one hell of a list!
I'm not lying dinowuff I have no need to. Funny, you mention the Army because about 2 months ago I called them and they said they wouldn't accept me because of the charges I have not to mention the cut off age i believe is 32.
to Aaron Maxwell you just keep writing checks YOU'RE ASS CAN'T CASH! Keep *****ing with me I want you too you. PS That image is plastered on the net!!! ;)
Honestly, I don't think "my list" is that bad. Compared to some people I know. Bottom line is I moved away from Oneco in Manatee county to get away from fellow gang bangers who were going to prison and dying, and people who would get me in trouble. From 1991-2002 in 2002 I moved to Miami to start a new life and I end up getting a record here. I grew up in the hood/projects I don't blame that for a second but I think it's true you can take the man out of the hood, but you can' take the hood out of the man.
PS; To the guy who said change your identity and your ss number more information is needed and yes i am down for it
Dude:
Don't **** with your SSN!
Create an s or c corp. You can do it online for free.
Say you are creating the corp from a DBA. Open a corporate bank account and run all your expenses through the corporation. (Do it legally).
After 5 or so years your Corp will have excellent credit and you can borrow, rent, get credit cards through the corporation.
So instead of having to steal or create (illegally) another identification, just create a new (Legal) one.
Also, if you screw up a job - your personal assets cannot be attached in the law suit.
There are many other benifits - it is not a waste of money!
Yeah it's tough living in the information age. I don't have a felony conviction and I can't find a job. 7 years ago I got jumped by 2 people in Minneapolis, MN. I defended myself after being punched 40 times. I had somebody on my back punching me on the back of the head and somebody in front of me punching me in the face. I punched the dude in front of me 1 time and fractured his face. I got charged with 3rd degree assault and a year later the horse**** attorney who I hire pressured me in to pleading guilty with a stay of imposition which he said would reduce the conviction to a misdemeanor after I successfully completed probation. (Which I did)
A year ago I quit my fairly high paying management position of 12 years after getting in an arguement with the IDIOT self appointed General Manager. I was confident with my skills, experience and with a solid work history I was confident that I would have a better higher paying job within a month.
Hennepin County did very little to change the final disposition of my conviction and everytime I've been offered a conditional job offer since, my record comes back mistakenly as me being convicted of a felony. I dispute this and the background companies acknowledge the mistake 2 weeks to a month later, after they had finished their investigation. By then the "position is filled" or they are "pursuing other candidates". I have applied to more than 1000 jobs in the past year, been to 100 job interviews, and received nearly 50 conditional job offers...conditional job offers contingent on a criminal background check. I've had employers tell me on many occasions that I will be hired provided that my background check is returned without a felony conviction, I'm still unemployed and I lost my home and had to move back to my parents house and I'm now on assistance.
I've been writing to The MN State Legislature suggesting that Hennepin County needs to realize how incredibly stupid the people working in hr departments and background screening companies are and more prominently display the final disposition of a persons criminal case. Laws need to be created to regulate the information which background screening companies are using. In my case it has been inaccurate or incomplete everytime. These companies being allowed to operate with impunity has ruined my life. The legal system, employers, government and state officials need to realize that rendering people unemployable is the number one factor for increased crime rates and the condition of our economy. If you eliminate 10% of the population from the workforce you are eliminating a lot of talent.
Being unemployable is a hollow, horrible and helpless feeling which is hard to describe to somebody who hasn't experienced it.
Yeah it was a long rant and a sob story, I apologize for that. I honestly don't feel like the world owes me anything and I don't whine to employers. I just want to be judged for what I'm actually convicted of so I have a chance of gaining employment at some point. Most employers will not hire me with the misdemeanor conviction which I have, no employers will hire me while their under the impression that I am convicted of a felony.The ts explains how it feels to walk in his shoes as a convicted felon, I'm walking in those shoes yet I'm not a convicted felon.Quote:
Originally Posted by AaronMaxwell
I wish that I was beaten up during that altercation, then I wouldn't be dealing my current situation. The only person who got injured was the dude who I punched. That is why I was charged and prosecuted instead of them. Cops do not care who start fights or who was right or wrong. All they care about is arresting the person who inflicted the damage.
The point that I am trying to make is that while I was attending court the prosecuter, my probation officer, and my attorney all told me that if I accepted the plea agreement which I did and successfully completed probation (which I did), that I wouldn't have a felony conviction on my record. I specifically asked all of them if future potential employers would be able to detect if I was convicted of a felony, and they all answered no. I was told as recently as a couple of months ago by all of them to answer the dreaded question of "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?" as NO. When I answer no to that question employers thing that I'm a convicted felon who is also a liar.
Don't you see a problem with this?